Powder-box opener



J. BLACKWELL POWDER BOX OPENER Oct. 20,1925- 1,551,194

Filed July 24, 1924 Patented Oct. 20, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH BLACKWELL, IRONWOOD, MICHIGAN.

POWDER-BOX OPENER.

Application filed July 24, 1924. Serial No. 727,900.

T 0* all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEP BLAOKWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ironwood, in the county of Gogebic and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Powder- Box Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and improved box opening apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus adapted to remove covers of wooden boxes or the like without injury to the contents thereof.

A device of this character is of particular utility for opening boxes containing blasting powder or such material, since opening boxes with such contents by means of hammers or mallets or by inserting claws or chisels is extremely dangerous.

It is an object of the present invention to provide box opening apparatus adapted to quickly and easily open lids of boxes without damage to the contents.

It is a further object to provide a device I of this character which is simple in design and construction and may be cheaply manufactured.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

I have shown one preferred form of my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device applied to a box;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the box lid raised; and

Fig. 3 is a view of the construction as seen from the right in Fig. 1.

The apparatus comprises a base 11 to which are secured the box supporting mem bers 12 having uprights 13 at one end supported by the braces 14 from the base 11. At the opposite end of the members 12 the uprights 15 are braced from the base by the braces 16. The retainer hook frame as best shown in Fig. 3 comprises the upwardly extending members 17 and 18 cross connected by the member 19. The ends of the member 19 extend upwardly into the handles 20 and 21. The lower ends of the members 17 and 18 are pivoted upon the shaft 22 which extends transversely between the vertical members 15. The upper ends ofthe members '17 and 18 extend forwardly and are provided with the retainer hooks 23.

The boxopening blade 24 is provided with back turned ears 25 and 26 which are pivoted on the shaft 27 supported by the upper ends of the vertical members 15. The opener blade is provided with the sharpened forwardly extending edge 28. It is provided with the operating handle 29.

In the operation of the apparatus, the box 30 is placed upon members 12 against the uprights 13. By means of the handles 20 and 21 the retaining hooks 23 are thrust in between the lid 31 and the box 30, slightly raising the lid. The handles 20 and 21 are held forwardly to retain the hooks in this position. The lever 29 is then brought to the rear and this has the effect of inserting the sharpened edge of the opening blade 24 between the cover and box.

It will be noted that the blade 24 is cut away to permit it to pass over the hooks 23. As shown in Fig. 2, when lever 29 is moved to the rear, the box cover is lifted well away from the box. The removal of the cover may be readily effected by hand.

It will be understood that the particular construction shown is especially adapted for one size of box. Obviously the device may be constructed to accommodate any desired size or shape of box.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for opening boxes or the like comprising a box holding frame, hook members associated with the frame adapted to engage the box to retain it in the frame, and

the frame and adapted to be inserted between the box and lid to move the lid away it in the frame, and an opener blade pivot- 7 from the box. ally supported from the frame and adapted 3. Apparatus for opening boxes or the like to be inserted between the box and lid to 1 comprising a frame in which the box rests, move the lid away from the box.

7 rigid frame members engaging one end of Signed at Ironwood, Michigan, this 16th the box, pivoted frame members adapted to day of July, 1924. engage theopposite' end of the box to retain V 'BLACK'VVELL. 

